Heavy use of tech mars kids’ sense of social inclusiveness: Survey

New Delhi: Excessive time spent on technology and social media can hinder children from forming meaningful connections, according to a US-based study on Friday.

The findings, based on a survey of 1,146 parents, showed that parents are concerned for their children over too much time spent with technology (50 per cent), bullying (30 per cent), and the social impact of the pandemic (22 per cent).

Nearly one in five parents (19 per cent) report that differences in race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, or gender identity prevent their children from fitting in at school.

“Connections foster a sense of belonging, which is essential for academic success and overall well-being,” said Dr Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and a paediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“While technology has its pros and cons, parents should be mindful of warning signs that indicate their child’s tech usage might be affecting their real-world social interactions,” Hoet added.

Hoet advised parents to watch for signs like losing track of time, being preoccupied with devices, isolating from real-world activities, irritability, physical health effects, and changes in offline interactions or school performance. These indicators can help parents assess whether their child’s screen time is negatively impacting their social connections.